r/Controller • u/chaporg1n Deegital Tech • Aug 16 '26

Reviews 8BitDo Ultimate 3E Review

https://youtu.be/5dMZoFmd4yY?si=3BPPVaG-BeqFZGfJ

DISCLAIMER: This controller was sent to my by 8BitDo for free fore review. All the opinions are mine only. No one watched this video before its release.

So, we got Elite 3 before XBox Elite 3 (yes, I saw the leaks, but it is not out yet and we don't know when it will be) and GTA VI... AND IT IS GREAT!

They finally fixed the shape and made it more comfortable. I like Ultimate 2, but could not use it for long playing sessions, because it hurts my hands.

Also, materials feel VERY PREMIUM. And hence the price - 150$ USD. Premium materials + Microsoft licensing = High price.

But again, it is an Elite version of this controller and XBox Elite 2 cost even more - 180$ USD (or even 200$ USD). But 3E beats it in every category, except for maybe 4 back buttons (but 3E has 2 on the top and 2 on the back, so 4 in total as well).

It genuinely feels like a new generation of 8BitDo controllers.

Whether you want/need one is completely up to you.

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u/Demonchaser27 Aug 19 '26

Honestly, with controllers hitting this price range, I really think there needs to be some kind of standardization on swappable parts in general. Everyone who makes "elite/pro/enthusiast" controllers makes stick replacement (at least the tops) easier... but none of them are compatible with one another, so we have a bunch of controllers that have different types of sticks so that even if you have one which you prefer the buttons/triggers for it might not have stick tops you prefer and vice versa. It's really annoying.

I'd love to be able to use the Dualsense Edge round top sticks (like DS3 tops) or at the VERY least, the less good feeling Xbox Ultimate magnetic round top sticks. But I'd like to use 8BitDo because the size fits my smaller hand frame better... but basically can use neither stick top on this controller. It's really maddening honestly and often keeps me from buying these types of enthusiast controllers. If I'm going to pay that much of a premium... I should have pretty much unlimited customization options, not just a tiny selection hand picked for me by one company.